Systems and methods utilizing gas temperature as a power source

ABSTRACT

Systems and generating power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation to supply electrical power. In embodiments, an inlet temperature of a flow of gas from a source to an ORC unit may be determined. The source may connect to a main pipeline. The main pipeline may connect to a supply pipeline. The supply pipeline may connect to the ORC unit thereby to allow gas to flow from the source to the ORC unit. Heat from the flow of gas may cause the ORC unit to generate electrical power. The outlet temperature of the flow of the gas from the ORC unit to a return pipe may be determined. A flow of working fluid may be adjusted to a percentage sufficient to maintain temperature of the flow of compressed gas within the selected operating temperature range.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. Provisional Application No.63/261,601, filed Sep. 24, 2021, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS UTILIZINGGAS TEMPERATURE AS A POWER SOURCE,” U.S. Provisional Application No.63/200,908, filed Apr. 2, 2021, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORGENERATING GEOTHERMAL POWER DURING HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION,” U.S.application Ser. No. 17/305,296, filed Jul. 2, 2021, titled “CONTROLLERFOR CONTROLLING GENERATION OF GEOTHERMAL POWER IN AN ORGANIC RANKINECYCLE OPERATION DURING HYDORCARBON PRODUCTION,” U.S. application Ser.No. 17/305,298, filed Jul. 2, 2021, titled “SYSTEMS FOR GENERATINGGEOTHERMAL POWER IN AN ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE OPERATION DURINGHYDORCARBON PRODUCTION BASED ON WELLHEAD FLUID TEMPERATURE,” U.S.application Ser. No. 17/305,297, filed Jul. 2, 2021, titled “SYSTEMS FORGENERATING GEOTHERMAL POWER IN AN ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE OPERATION DURINGHYDORCARBON PRODUCTION BASED ON WORKING FLUID TEMPERATURE,” U.S.application Ser. No. 17/305,294, filed Jul. 2, 2021, titled “METHODS FORGENERATING GEOTHERMAL POWER IN AN ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE OPERATION DURINGHYDORCARBON PRODUCTION BASED ON WELLHEAD FLUID TEMPERATURE,” and U.S.application Ser. No. 17/305,293, filed Jul. 2, 2021, titled “METHODS FORGENERATING GEOTHERMAL POWER IN AN ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE OPERATION DURINGHYDORCARBON PRODUCTION BASED ON WORKING FLUID TEMPERATURE,” thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of this disclosure relate to generating electrical powerfrom heat of a flow of gas, and more particularly, to systems andmethods for generating electrical power in an organic Rankine cycle(ORC) operation in the vicinity of a pumping station during gascompression to thereby supply electrical power to one or more ofoperational equipment, a grid power structure, and an energy storagedevice.

BACKGROUND

Typically, an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) generator or unit includes aworking fluid loop that flows to a heat source, such that the heat fromthe heat source causes the working fluid in the loop to change phasesfrom a liquid to a vapor. The vaporous working fluid may then flow to agas expander, causing the gas expander to rotate. The rotation of thegas expander may cause a generator to generate electrical power. Thevaporous working fluid may then flow to a condenser or heat sink. Thecondenser or heat sink may cool the working fluid, causing the workingfluid to change phase from the vapor to the liquid. The working fluidmay circulate through the loop in such a continuous manner, thus the ORCgenerator or unit may generate electrical power.

SUMMARY

As noted organic Rankine cycle (ORC) generators or units may generateelectrical power via an ORC operation based on heat transfer to aworking fluid. While various types of sources of heat may be utilized,there is currently no system, method, or controller available to ensurethat the source of the heat is maintained at a specified temperatureafter heat transfer via a heat exchanger, whether internal or externalto the ORC unit. For example, when a flow of gas or process gas, such asa flow of compressed gas from a pumping station, is used as the sourceof heat for heat transfer to the working fluid or an intermediateworking fluid, a specified or selected operating temperature range or aspecified threshold temperature for the gas may be desired. For example,for some gasses, if the temperature drops below a particular thresholdor operating range, volatiles may begin to condense in the flow of gas.Such condensed volatiles may cause issues such as damage to pipelines(e.g., via corrosion or otherwise), scaling, precipitates, potentialleaks, potential equipment performance issues, and/or damage toequipment configured to operate with gases rather than liquids. Whilevolatiles may condense in the flow of gas at a temperature below athreshold, pumps at a site may operate at a higher level or exhibithigher performance for a flow of gas that is at a reduced temperaturehigher than the temperature at which volatiles condense, but lower thana temperature defined by a compressor's (e.g., such as a pump)performance in relation to temperature of the flow of gas, the twotemperatures, in some embodiments, defining the operating range.

Accordingly, Applicants have recognized a need for systems and methodsto generate electrical power in the vicinity of a pumping station orother gas processing facility or site, while maintaining the temperatureof a flow of gas, to thereby supply electrical power to one or more ofoperational equipment, a grid power structure, and an energy storagedevice. The present disclosure is directed to embodiments of suchsystems and methods.

As noted, the present disclosure is generally directed to systems andmethods for generating electrical power in an organic Rankine cycle(ORC) operation in the vicinity of a pumping station or other facilityor site where a gas is compressed and/or processed. As gas is compressedat the pumping station or other facility or site for further transport,processing, storage, or other purposes, the temperature of the gas mayincrease. Further, the equipment (e.g., an engine and pump) utilized forcompression may generate heat (e.g., in the form of exhaust and/or awater jacket) during compression or operation. As such, one or more heatexchangers, included external or internal to an ORC unit, may bepositioned at and/or near the equipment or pipelines associated with theflow of gas. The flow of gas may flow through one of the one or moreheat exchangers. One or more temperature sensors associated with theinput and output of the heat exchanger may measure the temperature ofthe gas. As the gas flows through the heat exchanger, the temperature ofthe gas entering and exiting the heat exchanger may be determined, e.g.,via temperature sensors. Further, at pumping stations or otherfacilities or sites existing gas coolers (e.g., an air-cooler) may beincluded to cool the gas prior to transport, processing, storage, orother purposes.

However, as noted, if the temperature of the gas is lowered below anoperating range, then volatiles may begin to condense and/or condensatesmay begin to form in the flow of gas. Further, if the gas is above theoperating range, then a compressor may output lower than the maximumvolume of gas. To ensure that the gas is not cooled below the operatingrange defined by a temperature at which volatiles condense and/orcondensates form and/or above a temperature defined by higher compressoroutput, the systems and methods may include a bypass valve positioned ona bypass pipeline. The bypass pipeline may connect a supply pipeline toa return pipeline. The supply pipeline may connect to a main pipeline todivert the flow of gas to the heat exchanger. The return pipeline mayconnect the heat exchanger to the main pipeline downstream the supplypipeline/main pipeline connection point thereby allowing the flow of gasto flow from the heat exchanger back to the main pipeline. The heatexchanger may facilitate transfer of heat from the flow of gas to aworking fluid or intermediate working fluid. In response to thetemperature of the gas being above or below an operating range, thebypass valve may be adjusted thereby preventing diversion of ordiverting a portion of the flow of gas and thus reducing or increasing,respectively, the temperature of the flow of gas exiting the heatexchanger and ensuring that volatiles do not condense in the flow of gasand that a compressor operates efficiently. Further, an amount or rateof working fluid flowing through the heat exchanger may be increased ordecreased thereby to decrease or increase, respectively, the temperatureof the flow of gas. The adjustment of the bypass valve and/or flow ofworking fluid through the heat exchanger may be based on the inlettemperature of the flow of gas into the heat exchanger, the outlet ofthe flow of gas from the heat exchanger, the temperature of the gasprior to entering the gas cooler, the temperature of the gas afterexiting gas cooler, a predicted temperature of the gas exiting the gascooler, the temperature of the working fluid or intermediate workingfluid exiting the heat exchanger, the flow rate of the working fluid orintermediate working fluid exiting the heat exchanger, or electricalpower output of an ORC unit, or some combination thereof, among otherfactors.

As noted, heat generated from the equipment on-site may be utilized togenerate electricity. For example, an engine may produce exhaust. Theexhaust may be at a high temperature. The exhaust may be supplied toanother heat exchanger, external to the ORC unit or included in anotherORC unit. the engine may include a water jacket. The heated water fromthe water jacket may be supplied to a third heat exchanger, external tothe ORC unit or included in a third ORC unit.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a method forgenerating power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation to supplyelectrical power to one or more of operational equipment, a grid powerstructure, or an energy storage device. The method may includedetermining an inlet temperature of a flow of compressed gas from asource to a heat exchanger. The source may be connected to a mainpipeline. The main pipeline may be connected to a supply pipeline. Thesupply pipeline may be connected to the heat exchanger thereby to allowcompressed gas to flow from the source to the heat exchanger. The heatexchanger may be positioned to transfer heat from the flow of compressedgas to a flow of a working fluid, thereby to cause an ORC unit togenerate electrical power. The method may include determining an outlettemperature of the flow of the compressed gas from the heat exchanger toa return pipeline. The method may include, in response to adetermination that the flow of the compressed gas is within a selectedoperating temperature range, adjusting the flow of working fluid to apercentage sufficient to maintain temperature of the flow of compressedgas within the selected operating temperature range. A flow controldevice may adjust the flow of the working fluid to maintain thetemperature of the flow of compressed gas within the selected operatingtemperature. The flow control device may include one or more of a pump,a variable speed pump, a control valve, or an actuated valve. The flowcontrol device may adjust the flow of the working fluid based on one ormore of (a) the selected operating temperature range, (b) a temperaturedrop of the flow of compressed gas, (c) the inlet temperature, or (d)the outlet temperature. The temperature drop of the flow of compressedgas may be the temperature drop of the flow of compressed gas afterpassage through a gas cooler. In a further embodiment, the method mayinclude sensing, via an ambient temperature sensor, the ambienttemperature of an environment external to the main pipeline, the supplypipeline, the return pipeline, the heat exchanger, and the ORC unit. Themethod may include determining the temperature drop of the flow ofcompressed gas after passage through the gas cooler based on the outlettemperature, the ambient temperature, and a predicted temperature dropdifferential. The predicted temperature drop differential may be basedon a type of the gas cooler and the ambient temperature.

In an embodiment, the heat exchanger may be included within the ORCunit. The heat exchanger may be an intermediate heat exchanger externalfrom the ORC unit and the working fluid may be an intermediate workingfluid.

In an embodiment, the source may include one or more compressors andoperation of the one or more compressors may occur via one or moreengines. The method may further include, during operation of the one ormore compressors via one or more engines, transporting exhaust producedby one of the one or more engines to a second heat exchanger. The secondheat exchanger may indirectly transfer heat from the exhaust to a flowof an intermediate working fluid, thereby to cause the ORC unit togenerate electrical power. The method may include, prior to transport ofthe exhaust to the second heat exchanger: sensing, via an exhaust inletsensor, an exhaust thermal mass of the exhaust produced by one of theone or more engines; and, in response to the exhaust thermal mass beingwithin an exhaust thermal mass range, adjusting an exhaust control valveto partially or fully prevent flow of the exhaust from the one of theone or more engines to the second heat exchanger. The method may furtherinclude, during operation of the one or more compressors via one or moreengines, transporting a flow of heated coolant from a water jacketassociated with one of the one or more engines to a second heatexchanger, the second heat exchanger to indirectly transfer heat fromthe heated coolant to a flow of an intermediate working fluid, therebyto cause the ORC unit to generate electrical power. The method mayinclude, prior to transport of the heated coolant to the second heatexchanger: sensing, via a water jacket inlet temperature sensor, aheated coolant temperature of the flow of heated coolant from the waterjacket; and, in response to the heated coolant temperature being withina water jacket temperature range, adjusting a water jacket control valveto prevent flow of the heated coolant from the water jacket to thesecond heat exchanger.

In an embodiment, the operational equipment may include one or more ofon-site (1) pumps, (2) heat exchangers, or (3) controllers. Thecompressed gas may include one or more of compressed (1) natural gas,(2) renewable natural gas, (3) landfill gas, and (4) organic waste gas.The inlet temperature and outlet temperature may be determined for aplurality of heat exchangers, each of the plurality of heat exchangerssupplying heated working fluid to a supply manifold. The supply manifoldmay supply aggregated heated working fluid to the ORC unit, and the ORCunit may return cooled working fluid to a return manifold. the returnmanifold transports an amount of cooled working fluid to each of theplurality of heat exchangers.

Other embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a method forgenerating power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation in thevicinity of a pumping station during gas compression and transportthereby to supply electrical power to one or more of operationalequipment, a grid power structure, or an energy storage device. Theoperations of the method described may be performed during one or morestage gas compressions via one or more compressors located at a pumpingstation and for each of the one or more compressors associated with thepumping station. The method may include sensing, via a working fluidfirst heat exchanger outlet sensor, a temperature of a flow of workingfluid. The flow of working fluid may flow from a first heat exchanger.The first heat exchanger may receive a flow of gas from a source via asupply pipeline connected to the first heat exchanger. The method mayinclude, in response to a determination that the temperature of the flowof working fluid is at or above a threshold, maintaining one or more of(1) a heat exchanger control valve position, the heat exchanger controlvalve positioned on the supply pipeline and to control flow of gas tothe first heat exchanger, or (2) a working fluid flow control deviceoutput, the working fluid flow control device positioned on a pipelineconnected to a working fluid inlet of the first heat exchanger and tocontrol flow of the working fluid to the first heat exchanger. The firstheat exchanger may indirectly transfer heat from the flow of gas to theflow of the working fluid. The threshold may indicate that the workingfluid is at a temperature to cause an ORC unit to generate electricalpower. The method may include sensing, via an outlet temperature sensor,a temperature of a flow of the gas from the first heat exchanger to areturn pipeline. The method may include, in response to a determinationthat the temperature of the flow of the gas from the first heatexchanger is within a selected operating temperature range, adjusting,via the working fluid flow control device, the output of the workingfluid flow control device sufficient to maintain temperature of the flowof compressed gas within the selected operating temperature. The methodmay include, during operation of the one or more compressors via one ormore engines and for each of the one or more engines, transportingexhaust produced by one of the one or more engines from to a second heatexchanger, the second heat exchanger to indirectly transfer heat fromthe exhaust to a flow of a working fluid, thereby to cause the ORC unitto generate electrical power.

In an embodiment, the heat transferred from the exhaust to the workingfluid of the second heat exchanger may be utilized in a hot fluid intakeof the ORC unit. The heat transferred from the flow of gas to theworking fluid of the first heat exchanger may be utilized in a warmfluid intake of the ORC unit.

Other embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a method forgenerating power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation to supplyelectrical power to one or more of operational equipment, a grid powerstructure, or an energy storage device. The method may includedetermining a temperature of a flow of working fluid, the flow ofworking fluid flowing from a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger mayreceive a flow of gas from a source via a supply pipeline connected tothe first heat exchanger. The method may include, in response to adetermination that the temperature of the flow of working fluid is at orabove a threshold, maintaining one or more of (1) a heat exchangercontrol valve position, the heat exchanger control valve positioned onthe supply pipeline and to control flow of gas to the first heatexchanger, or (2) a working fluid flow control device output, theworking fluid flow control device positioned on a pipeline connected toa working fluid inlet of the first heat exchanger and to control flow ofthe working fluid to the first heat exchanger. The working fluid flowcontrol device may be a control valve and the working fluid flow controldevice output may be adjusted based on an opened/closed position of thecontrol valve. The first heat exchanger may indirectly transfer heatfrom the flow of gas to the flow of the working fluid. The threshold toindicate that the working fluid is at a temperature to cause an ORC unitto generate electrical power. The method may include determining anoutlet temperature of the flow of the gas from the heat exchanger to areturn pipeline. The method may include, in response to a determinationthat the flow of the gas is within a selected operating temperaturerange, adjusting the flow of working fluid to a percentage sufficient tomaintain temperature of the flow of gas within the selected operatingtemperature.

Other embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a method generatingpower during gas compression to supply electrical power to one or moreof operational equipment, a grid power structure, or an energy storagedevice. The method may include determining an inlet temperature of aflow of compressed gas from a source to a heat exchanger, the sourceconnected to a main pipeline, the main pipeline connected to a supplypipeline, and the supply pipeline connected to the heat exchangerthereby to allow compressed gas to flow from the source to the heatexchanger, the heat exchanger positioned to transfer heat from the flowof compressed gas to a flow of a working fluid, thereby to generateelectrical power. The method may include determining an outlettemperature of the flow of the compressed gas from the heat exchanger toa return pipeline. The method may include, in response to adetermination that a temperature of the flow of the compressed gas isoutside a temperature range based on the inlet temperature and theoutlet temperature, adjusting the flow of working fluid to a percentagesufficient to maintain temperature of the flow of compressed gas withinthe range.

In an embodiment, a minimum temperature of the temperature range isbased on a temperature at which volatiles condense in the flow of gas.The inlet temperature and outlet temperature may be determined for aplurality of heat exchangers, each of the plurality of heat exchangerssupplying heated working fluid to a supply manifold. The supply manifoldmay supply aggregated heated working fluid to an ORC unit, and the ORCunit may return cooled working fluid to a return manifold. The returnmanifold may transport an amount of cooled working fluid to each of theplurality of heat exchangers. The method may further include, inresponse to one of the outlet temperatures being at or below thethreshold, adjusting the amount of cooled working fluid flowing to aheat exchanger corresponding to the one of the outlet temperatures.

Still other aspects and advantages of these embodiments and otherembodiments, are discussed in detail herein. Moreover, it is to beunderstood that both the foregoing information and the followingdetailed description provide merely illustrative examples of variousaspects and embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview orframework for understanding the nature and character of the claimedaspects and embodiments. Accordingly, these and other objects, alongwith advantages and features of the present invention herein disclosed,will become apparent through reference to the following description andthe accompanying drawings. Furthermore, it is to be understood that thefeatures of the various embodiments described herein are not mutuallyexclusive and may exist in various combinations and permutations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosure willbecome better understood with regard to the following descriptions,claims, and accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that thedrawings illustrate only several embodiments of the disclosure and,therefore, are not to be considered limiting of the scope of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1C are block diagrams illustrating novelimplementations of electrical power generation enabled facilities toprovide electrical power to one or more of equipment, energy storagedevices, and the grid power structure, according to one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a novel implementation of anotherelectrical power generation enabled facility to provide electrical powerto one or more of equipment, energy storage devices, and the grid powerstructure, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are other block diagrams illustrating novelimplementations of electrical power generation enabled facilities toprovide electrical power to one or more of equipment, energy storagedevices, and the grid power structure, according to one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are other block diagrams illustrating novelimplementations of electrical power generation enabled facilities toprovide electrical power to one or more of equipment, energy storagedevices, and the grid power structure, according to one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating novel implementations of one ormore sites to provide heated fluid to an ORC unit to generate electricalpower, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, FIG. 6D, FIG. 6E, and FIG. 6F are blockdiagrams illustrating novel implementations of an organic Rankin cycle(ORC) unit receiving warm and/or hot fluid from one or more heatexchangers via a supply manifold and a return manifold, according to oneor more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are simplified diagrams illustrating a controlsystem for managing electrical power production at a facility, accordingto one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, FIG. 8C, and FIG. 8D are flow diagrams of electricalpower generation in which, during gas compression, working fluid heatedvia the flow of gas facilitates ORC operations, according to one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are flow diagrams of electrical power generation inwhich, during gas compression, working fluid is heated via engineexhaust and/or water jacket fluid flow, according to one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of theembodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein, as well asothers that will become apparent, may be understood in more detail, amore particular description of embodiments of systems and methodsbriefly summarized above may be had by reference to the followingdetailed description of embodiments thereof, in which one or more arefurther illustrated in the appended drawings, which form a part of thisspecification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrateonly various embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein andare therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of the systemsand methods disclosed herein as it may include other effectiveembodiments as well.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for generatingelectrical power (e.g., via an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation)based on heat from a flow of gas and other sources to thereby supplyelectrical power to one or more of equipment or operational equipment, agrid power structure, an energy storage device, and/or other devices.Transport or transfer of gas via pipeline typically includes compressingthe gas one or more times prior to the transportation or transfer toensure the gas is capable of flowing to the end destination. As the gasis compressed, the gas may become heated. Further, the equipment used tocompress the gas may become heated or produce heat in various ways. Inaddition, prior to transport, the flow of gas is typically cooled. Theflow of gas is cooled by a gas cooler (e.g., an on-site heat exchanger,such as an air-cooler). Such a gas cooler may operate at a set speed,while in other embodiments the gas cooler may operate at variablespeeds, for example based on the temperature of the flow of gas enteringthe gas cooler and the desired temperature of the flow of gas exitingthe air-cooler. The heat generated via the compression of the flow gas,as well as the heat produced by the equipment on-site may be utilizedvia either external and/or internal heat exchangers to produceelectrical power (e.g., via one or more ORC units or other equipmentconfigured to convert heat to electrical power).

In such examples, ORC generators or units typically use a pipeline incommunication with heat sources to allow a working fluid to change phasefrom liquid to vapor. As the working fluid changes phase from a liquidto a vaporous state, the vaporous state working fluid may flow up thepipe or pipeline to a gas expander. The vaporous state working fluid mayflow through and cause the gas expander to rotate. The rotation of thegas expander may cause a generator to generate electrical power, as willbe described below. The vaporous state working fluid may flow throughthe gas expander to a heat sink, condenser, or other cooling apparatus.The heat sink, condenser, or other cooling apparatus may cool theworking fluid thereby causing the working fluid to change phases from avapor to a liquid.

In the present disclosure, a supply pipeline may be connected to a mainpipeline to divert a flow of gas from the main pipeline. Downstream ofthe connection between the main pipeline and supply pipeline, a returnpipeline may be connected to the main pipeline. The supply pipeline mayconnect to the inlet of a heat exchanger (e.g., the heat exchangerexternal or internal to an ORC unit) to allow the diverted gas to flowthrough the heat exchanger thereby facilitating transfer of heat fromthe flow of gas to a working fluid. The cooled gas may flow from theheat exchanger back to the main pipeline via the return pipeline. Asupply control valve may be positioned on the supply pipeline and areturn control valve may be positioned on the return pipeline, therebyto control flow to/from the heat exchanger. Temperature sensors and/orsensors or meters to measure other characteristics of the flow of gasmay be disposed and/or positioned at various points at each of thepipelines. For example, a temperature sensor and/or the other sensors ormeters may be disposed and/or positioned at or near the inlet and/oroutlet of the heat exchanger and/or at varying other points along themain pipeline. Further, a bypass fluidic conduit, pipeline, section ofpipeline, piping, or pipe may be positioned between and connect thesupply pipeline to the return. A bypass valve may be positioned on thebypass fluidic conduit or pipeline thereby to divert a portion of theflow of gas from the heat exchanger. The portion of the flow of gasdiverted from the heat exchanger may heat the remaining portion of theflow of gas from the heat exchanger. In addition to or rather thanutilizing the bypass valve to maintain heat, the rate or amount ofworking fluid flowing through the heat exchanger may be adjusted (e.g.,via a flow control device) to maintain or adjust a temperature of theflow of gas. The position or degree at which the bypass valve isopened/closed and/or the rate or amount of the flow of working fluidthrough the working fluid may be determined based on temperaturemeasurements of the flow of gas, in addition to a threshold or operatingrange of the flow of gas and/or temperature and/or flow rate or amountof the flow of working fluid in the heat exchanger, among other factors.The threshold may be based on the temperature at which volatilescondense in a flow of gas (e.g., including, but not limited to, a dewpoint of the flow of gas). The operating range may be based, at least inpart, on the same temperature of another selected temperature desiredfor the flow of gas. Thus, heat from the flow of gas may be utilized togenerate electrical power in an ORC unit, while maintaining thetemperature of the flow of gas above such a threshold or within such anoperating range.

Additionally, and as noted, other equipment may produce heat in variousways. For example, one or more engines corresponding to and used tooperate the compressors may produce exhaust. The exhaust produced may beoutput from one or more of the one or more engines at a hightemperature. The exhaust produced by one or more of the one or moreengines may be transported or transferred to a heat exchanger totransfer heat to a working fluid to produce electrical power in the ORCunit. In another embodiment, a water jacket may surround one of the oneor more engines to cool that engine during operation. Heat emanatingfrom or produced by the engine may be transferred to the fluid containedwithin the water jacket. The fluid within the water jacket may betransported or transferred to a heat exchanger to transfer heat to aworking fluid to produce electrical power in the ORC unit.

Such systems may include various components, devices, or apparatuses,such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors or transducers, flowmeters, control valves, smart valves, valves actuated via controlsignal, controllers, a master or supervisory controller, other computingdevices, computing systems, user interfaces, in-field equipment, and/orother equipment. The controller may monitor and adjust various aspectsof the system to ensure that a flow of gas does not drop below thethreshold where volatiles may condense in the flow of gas, that thetemperature of the flow of gas stays below the threshold where acompressor or pump provides a higher output, that the flow of gasremains within a selected operating range, that the working fluidremains within a selected operating range, and/or that electrical poweris generated efficiently and economically.

FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, and FIG. 1C are block diagrams illustrating novelimplementations of electrical power generation enabled facilities toprovide electrical power to one or more of equipment, energy storagedevices, and the grid power structure, according to one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, a site 100,such as a pumping station, well, a landfill gas recovery facility, anagricultural gas recovery facility, a renewable natural gas facility, orother facility where gas is compressed prior to further transport orprocessing, may include an input pipeline for gas 102. The gas 102 mayflow into a storage tank 104 or staging area. The gas 102 may flowdirectly to a compressor 106 or may flow from the storage tank 104 tothe compressor 106. The compressor 106 may be driven or operated by anengine 108 or one or more engines. The compressor 106 may compress theflow of gas. A main pipeline 111 may be connected to or in fluidcommunication with the output of the compressor 106. In an embodiment,the main pipeline 111 may be an existing pipeline at the site 100. As anORC kit or equipment is installed at the site, various other pipelines,sensors, valves, and/or other equipment may be added. For example, asupply pipeline 113 may be connected to the main pipeline 111 therebycreating fluid communication between the main pipeline 111 and thesupply pipeline 113. A return pipeline 115 may be connected to the mainpipeline 111 thereby creating fluid communication between the returnpipeline 115 and the main pipeline 111. A main control valve 124 may bepositioned on the main pipeline 111. The main control valve 124 may bepositioned between the connection point between a supply pipeline 113and the main pipeline 111 and a return pipeline 115 and the mainpipeline 111. Further, a first main pipeline sensor 110 may bepositioned prior to or before the main control valve 124 to measure thetemperature of the flow of gas from the compressor 106. If thetemperature of the flow of gas is at a temperature sufficient to causethe ORC unit 174 to generate electrical power, then the main controlvalve 124 may be fully or partially closed. Depending on the source ofthe gas and ambient temperature, among other factors, the temperature ofthe flow of gas after compression may be sufficient for use in, atleast, a low temperature ORC operation to produce an amount ofelectrical power 199. The electrical power 199 may be transferred to theequipment at the site 100, to an energy storage device (e.g., if excesspower is available), to equipment at other nearby sites, to the grid orgrid power structure (e.g., via a transformer through power lines), toother types of equipment (e.g., cryptographic currency and/or blockchain miners, hydrolyzers, carbon capture machines, nearby structuressuch as residential or business structures or buildings, and/or otherpower destinations) or some combination thereof. In an embodiment, a lowtemperature or warm fluid ORC operation may include heat transfer (e.g.,from the flow of gas or from an intermediate working fluid) to a workingfluid of the ORC unit 174. The working fluid of the ORC unit 174 may beof a type that has a low vaporous phase change threshold. In otherwords, the working fluid may change from a liquid to a vapor at lowerthan typical temperatures.

If the main control valve 124 is closed or partially closed, the flow ofgas or portion of the flow of gas may be diverted through the supplypipeline 113. The supply pipeline 113 may be connected to an inlet of aheat exchanger 117 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B) or directly connected to a warmfluid inlet or input of an ORC unit 174 (see FIG. 1C). Further, the heatexchanger 117 or ORC unit 174 may be connected to the supply pipeline113 via a supply control valve 112. The heat exchanger 117 or a heatexchanger internal to the ORC unit 174 may include two or more fluidicpaths. The flow of gas may travel through one of the fluidic paths in afirst direction. A working fluid or intermediate working fluid maytravel through a second fluidic path in an opposite direction. Such aconfiguration may facilitate transfer of heat from the flow of gas tothe working fluid or intermediate working fluid. An intermediate workingfluid may flow directly into an ORC unit 174 or into a storage tank 166.As noted, rather than an intermediate working fluid flowing into a heatexchanger (e.g., heat exchanger 117) external to the ORC unit 174, theflow of gas may flow directly into the ORC unit 174 (e.g., into a heatexchanger internal to the ORC unit 174). In such examples, the flow ofgas, after compression, may be at a temperature of about 30° C. to about150° C. The transfer of heat from the flow of gas to the working fluidmay cause the working fluid to heat to temperatures of about 60° C. toabout 150° C. In an embodiment, if the temperature of the flow of gas isbelow a threshold defined by a temperature sufficient to generateelectrical power via the ORC unit, then one or more of the supplycontrol valve 112, return control valve 142, and/or the main controlvalve 124 may close. In another embodiment, the amount of working fluidflowing through the heat exchanger 117 may be adjusted (e.g., via a flowcontrol device). If the temperature of the flow of gas is lower thansufficient to cause generation of electrical power, the flow of workingfluid may be increased for a selected amount of time. After the selectedamount of time has passed, the temperature of the working fluid may bedetermined so that further adjustments may be made to ensure generationof electrical power.

In an embodiment, a storage tank 166 may be positioned between the heatexchanger 117 and the ORC unit 174 store heated intermediate workingfluid. If the intermediate working fluid is at a temperature above ahigh temperature threshold or below a low temperature threshold orwithin a working fluid operating range, then the intermediate workingfluid may be stored in the storage tank 166, until the correcttemperature is reached. Otherwise, an intermediate working fluid valve168 may be opened, allowing the intermediate working fluid to flow intothe ORC unit 174. In another embodiment, the intermediate working fluidvalve's position may be determined based on the temperature and/orpressure of the intermediate working fluid, e.g., as measured by a heatexchanger outlet temperature sensor 164, a storage tank outlettemperature and/or pressure sensor 170, an ORC unit inlet temperaturesensor 172, a heat exchanger inlet temperature sensor 178, a temperaturemeasured in the ORC unit 174, and/or other pressure sensors positionedthroughout. Additional temperature sensors, pressure sensors ortransducers, or other suitable sensor or measurement devices may bedisposed or positioned throughout the site 100. In an embodiment, thestorage tank 166 may be an expansion tank, such as a bladder ordiaphragm expansion tank. The expansion tank may accept a varying volumeof the intermediate working fluid as the pressure within the workingfluid pipeline varies, as will be understood by a person skilled in theart. Thus, the expansion tank may manage any pressure changes exhibitedby the intermediate working fluid.

As noted, the flow of gas may be maintained at a temperature above athreshold to ensure that volatiles do not condense in the flow of gas,below a threshold to ensure that a downstream compressor or pump (e.g.,compressor 138) outputs a higher rate of flow of the gas, or within aselected operating range to ensure a maximum amount of electrical poweris generated (e.g., a temperature of the gas such that the working fluidis heated to about 60 degree Celsius to about 170 degrees Celsius orhigher, while maintaining the lowest potential temperature of the gas).Such volatiles may include ethanes, propanes, butanes, heavierstraight-chain alkanes having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, thiols ormercaptans, carbon dioxide, cyclohexane, other naphthenes, benzene,toluene, xylenes, ethylbenzene, and/or other high alkanes. In addition,the water may condense in the flow of gas at or below such a threshold.Such volatiles and condensates may lead to scaling, precipitates,corrosion, inefficient performance of operational equipment, and/ormalfunction or other issues with operational equipment (e.g., pumps,valves, etc.). To maintain the temperature above and/or below athreshold or within a selected operating range, the site 100 may includea bypass fluidic conduit 119 or pipeline/section of pipeline connectingthe supply pipeline 113 to the return pipeline 115. A bypass controlvalve 116 may be positioned on the bypass fluidic conduit 119 orpipeline/section of pipeline. The temperature of the flow of gas in thesupply pipeline 113 (e.g., provided or sensed via temperature sensor114) and the flow of gas in the return pipeline 115 (e.g., provided orsensed via temperature sensor 118 and/or temperature sensor 120) may bedetermined. Such measurements may indicate that the temperature of theflow of the gas is too low or below the threshold defined by thetemperature at which volatiles begin to condense in the flow of gas,that the flow of gas is too high or above the threshold defined by thetemperature at which the compressor or pump (e.g., compressor 138) doesnot output a higher rate of flow of gas, and/or that the temperature ofthe flow gas is not within a selected operating range. Based on suchdeterminations, indications, and/or other factors, the bypass controlvalve 116, by opening to a specified position or degree, may divert aportion of the flow of gas from the heat exchanger 117. In other words,a portion of the flow of gas may flow directly from the supply pipeline113 to the return pipeline 115 thereby increasing or decreasing thetemperature of the flow of gas, such a temperature indicated or measuredby temperature sensor 120. One or more adjustments of the bypass controlvalve 116 may occur until the temperature of the flow of gas is abovethe threshold or within the selected operating range. Other factors fordetermining the position of the bypass control valve 116 may include thetemperature of flow of gas in the supply pipeline 113, the temperatureof the flow of gas in the return pipeline 115, the temperature of theflow of gas after exiting a compressor 106 (e.g., as measured bytemperature sensor 110), the temperature of the flow of gas prior toentry into a gas cooler 128 (e.g., as measured by temperature sensor126), the temperature of the flow of gas after passing through the gascooler 128 (e.g., as measured by temperature sensor 132), a predictedtemperature drop of the flow of gas after passage through the gas cooler128 (e.g., through a first fluidic channel 130), the temperature of theflow of gas further downstream (e.g., for example, at temperature sensor136, prior to passage into the compressor 138), and/or the amount ofelectrical power output 199 or generated by the ORC unit 174. Based onthese measurements, the bypass control valve 116 may open/close to aspecified degree. Other valves may open/close to adjust the flow of thegas to increase/decrease various temperatures for different purposes(e.g., increasing a temperature of a working fluid,increasing/decreasing a temperature of the flow of gas, etc.).

In an embodiment, rather than or in addition to controlling ormaintaining temperature of the flow of gas via a bypass control valve,the temperature of the flow of gas may be controlled via the rate oramount of flow of working fluid flowing through the heat exchanger 117.The flow of working fluid through the heat exchanger 117 may becontrolled via one or more flow control devices, such as pumps and/orcontrol valves. As the rate or amount of flow of working fluid isincreased or decreased, the amount of heat transferred from the flow ofgas may increase or decrease, respectively. Thus, the temperature of theflow of gas may be decreased or increased in relation to the flow ofworking fluid.

In an embodiment, compression of the flow of gas may be performed one ormore times. For each compression stage similar components may beincluded and may perform the same or similar operations for eachdifferent stage of compression. Further, the temperature at which adownstream compressor outputs higher rates of a flow of gas may beconsidered a threshold below or limit in the selected operating rangewhich the temperature of the flow of gas is maintained in previousstages. For example, a flow of gas compressed via compressor 106 may betransported to storage tank 134 or directly to compressor 138 (e.g., asecond compressor). The compressor 138 may be operated or driven by thesame engine 108 or by a different engine. The compressor 138 may connectto a main pipeline 157. A supply pipeline 141 may connect to the mainpipeline 157. Downstream of the supply line 141 and main pipeline 157connection, the return pipeline 155 may connect to the main pipeline157. A main control valve 154 may be positioned between the supplypipeline 141-main pipeline 157 connection and the return pipeline155-main pipeline 157 connection. The main control valve 154 may be openwhen the ORC unit 174 is not operating and/or when the flow ofcompressed gas is not at a temperature (e.g., as measured viatemperature sensor 140) sufficient to generate electrical power via theORC unit. If the temperature of the flow of gas is sufficient togenerate electrical power, the main control valve 154 may be closed andthe flow of gas diverted to the supply pipeline 141.

The supply pipeline 141 and the return pipeline 155 may connect to theheat exchanger 117, to a separate heat exchanger, or directly to an ORCunit 174. A supply control valve 122 may be positioned on the supplypipeline 141 to control the flow of gas to the heat exchanger 117. Areturn control valve 152 may be positioned on the return pipeline 155 tocontrol the flow of gas from the heat exchanger 117. The open/closedposition of the supply control valve 122 and the return control valve152 may be determined based on various characteristics of the flow ofgas, such as the temperature of the flow of gas from the compressor 138(e.g., as measured or sensed by the temperature sensor 140), thetemperature of the flow of gas entering the heat exchanger 117 (e.g., asmeasured or sensed by the temperature sensor 144), the temperature ofthe flow of gas exiting the heat exchanger 117 (e.g., as measured orsensed by the temperature sensor 148 and/or temperature sensor 150), thetemperature of the flow of gas before entering and/or exiting theon-site heat exchanger (e.g., as measured or sensed by the temperaturesensor 156 and/or temperature sensor 162), and/or other characteristicsmeasured or determined by other sensors disposed throughout the site100. In an embodiment, the flow of gas may be comprised of one or moreof natural gas, renewable natural gas, landfill gas, and organic wastegas.

Similar to the configuration described above, a bypass fluidic conduit145 or pipeline may connect the supply pipeline 141 to the returnpipeline 155. The flow of gas from the supply pipeline 141 to the returnpipeline 155 may be controlled by a bypass control valve 146 positionedon the bypass fluidic conduit 145 or pipeline. The open/closed positionof the bypass control valve 152 and/or the rate or amount of the flow ofworking fluid through the heat exchanger may be determined based onvarious characteristics of the flow of gas, such as the temperature ofthe flow of gas from the compressor 138 (e.g., as measured or sensed bythe temperature sensor 140), the temperature of the flow of gas enteringthe heat exchanger 117 (e.g., as measured or sensed by the temperaturesensor 144), the temperature of the flow of gas exiting the heatexchanger 117, (e.g., as measured or sensed by the temperature sensor148 and/or temperature sensor 150), the ambient temperature of the site100 (e.g., as measured or sensed by a temperature sensor 149 configuredto measure ambient temperature) and/or other characteristics (flow,composition, density, pressure, etc.) measured, sensed, or determined byother sensors disposed throughout the site 100. FIGS. 1A through 1Cillustrate a two-stage compression operation. In such operations, as theflow of gas passes through the fluidic channel 158 of the gas cooler128, the compressed and cooled gas 165 may be output for transport toanother pumping station, to further processing equipment, or for otheruses/processing.

In an embodiment, the sensors and/or meters disposed throughout the site100 may be temperature sensors, densitometers, density measuringsensors, pressure transducers, pressure sensors, flow meters, turbineflow meters, mass flow meters, Coriolis meters, spectrometers, othermeasurement sensors to determine a temperature, pressure, flow,composition, density, or other variables as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art, or some combination thereof. Further, the sensorsand/or meters may be in fluid communication with a fluid to measure thetemperature, pressure, or flow or may indirectly measure flow (e.g., anultrasonic sensor). In other words, the sensors or meters may be aclamp-on device to measure flow indirectly (such as via ultrasoundpassed through the pipeline to the fluid).

As noted, the engine 108 or one or more engines may produce exhaustexhibiting high heat or temperature. The exhaust may be transported viaan exhaust duct 185 or pipeline to a heat exchanger 186 or ORC unit 174.After the exhaust flows through the heat exchanger 186 or the ORC unit174, the exhaust may be output to the atmosphere. In another embodiment,prior to output to the atmosphere, the exhaust may be filtered or passedthrough a catalyst to remove specific chemicals deemed harmful to theenvironment. In another embodiment, prior to input into the heatexchanger 186, the exhaust may be filtered or pass through a catalyst toprevent buildup within the heat exchanger 186. In an embodiment, theexhaust duct 185 or pipeline may include an exhaust valve 181. In anembodiment, the exhaust from the engine 108 may be at a high temperatureor have a high thermal mass (e.g., temperature of the exhaust multipliedby the flow rate of the exhaust). If the temperature or thermal mass ofthe exhaust (e.g., as measured by temperature sensor 180) is outside ofa range (e.g., defined by the operating temperature range of the heatexchanger 186, ORC unit 174, or other equipment or devices interactingwith the exhaust and/or based on thermal mass) or above or below athreshold, the exhaust control valve 181 may close thereby partially orfully preventing the exhaust from flowing to the heat exchanger 186. Ifthe exhaust control valve 181 is fully closed, the exhaust may be fullydiverted to a typical exhaust output. If the exhaust control valve 181is partially closed, the exhaust may be partially diverted to a typicalexhaust output, while the remaining portion may flow to the heatexchanger 181. The partial or full prevention of the flow of exhaust tothe heat exchanger 186 may prevent interruption of catalyst performanceof the engine 108 and/or deposition of particulates in equipment.

In another embodiment, the flow of exhaust, prior to flowing through theheat exchanger 186, may pass through a filter 187, converter, or someother device to reduce particulates within the exhaust. As noted, theexhaust may cause scaling and/or deposition of such particulates. Thefilter 187 or other device may ensure that the heat exchanger 186 maynot exhibit such scaling and/or deposition of particulates or may notexhibit the scaling and/or deposition at rates higher than if there wereno filter 187 or other device.

The engine 108 or one or more engines may include a water jacket. As anengine 108 operates, the water or other coolant inside the water jacketmay indirectly remove heat from the engine 108. Heat from the engine 108may be transferred to the water or other coolant, thereby producingheated water or other coolant. The heated water or other coolant maypass through a radiator or other type of heat exchanger to reduce thetemperature of heated water or coolant, the cooled water or coolant thenflowing back to the water jacket to cool the engine 108. In anembodiment, the output of the water jacket may connect to a pipeline todivert the flow of water to the heat exchanger 189. A water jacketcontrol valve 183 may be positioned on the pipeline to control the flowwater or coolant from the water jacket. A pipeline may be connected tothe input of the water jacket to return the water or other coolant tothe water jacket. In such embodiments, rather than or in addition to thewater or other coolant passing through the typical radiator or heatexchanger, the heated water or other coolant may pass through heatexchanger 189. In another embodiment, the engine's 108 water jacket maybe configured to transport the water or other coolant directly to an ORCunit 174. In another embodiment, the water jacket control valve 183 mayclose if the water or other coolant is outside a selected operatingrange (e.g., if the water or other coolant is too cool, then, ifutilized, water or other coolant may not be sufficient for the ORC unit174 to generate electrical power, and/or if the water or coolant is toohot, then, if utilized, the heated water or other coolant may damageequipment not rated for a high temperature) thus preventing fluid fromflowing to the heat exchanger 189 and/or the ORC unit 174. Temperatureof the water or coolant may be determined or sensed via one or moretemperature sensors (e.g., temperature sensors 182, 184). Thetemperature of the working fluid or intermediate working fluid may bedetermined or sensed via one or more temperature sensors (e.g.,temperature sensors 193, 195).

In an embodiment, the heat may be transferred from the engine's 108exhaust to an intermediate working fluid or a working fluid. Theintermediate working fluid may be stored in another storage tank 192 orexpansion tank. The temperature of the intermediate working fluidflowing from the heat exchanger 186 may be determined based onmeasurements from temperature sensors 190, 191. The temperature of theintermediate working fluid may be measured at various other points, suchas after the storage tank or the storage tank control valve 194 (e.g.,temperature sensor 196 and/or temperature sensor 198), or prior to entryinto the heat exchanger 186. Based on these measurements, the storagetank control valve 194 may open or close to prevent or allow the storagetank 192 to fill up and/or to prevent over-filling the storage tank 192.In an embodiment, the storage tank 192 may be an expansion tank, such asa bladder or diaphragm expansion tank. The expansion tank may accept avarying volume of the intermediate working fluid as the pressure withinthe working fluid pipeline varies, as will be understood by a personskilled in the art. Thus, the expansion tank may manage any pressurechanges exhibited by the intermediate working fluid.

In an embodiment, various temperature sensors and/or other sensors ormeters may be disposed and/or positioned throughout the site 100, 101,103. In another embodiment, the heat exchangers and/or ORC units may beadded to the site as a kit. In such examples, and as illustrated in FIG.1B, temperature sensors and/or other sensors or meters may be includedin the added kit (e.g., along added or installed conduits or pipelines)installed at a site 101, rather than in existing equipment. As such,temperature drops of gas passing through gas coolers 128 may bepredicted, rather than measured. Such predictions may be based on thetemperature of the flow of gas from the heat exchanger 117, thetemperature of the flow of gas entering the heat exchanger 117, the typeof gas coolers 128, the type or types of gas in the flow of gas, theambient temperature (e.g., as measured by temperature sensor 149, and/ortemperatures of the flow of gas after further compression as measured byother temperature sensors. In an embodiment, the gas cooler 128 may bean air-cooler. The air-cooler may include one or more fans 160 to coolfluid flowing therethrough.

In an embodiment, different types of heat exchangers may be utilized atthe site 100, 101. As noted, the heat exchanger may be internal to theORC unit 174 and/or external to the ORC unit 174. In an embodiment, theheat exchanger 117, 186 may be a shell and tube heat exchanger, a spiralplate or coil heat exchanger, a heliflow heat exchanger, or another heatexchanger configured to withstand high temperatures. To prevent damageor corrosion to the heat exchanger 117, 186 over a period of time, thefluid path for the flow of gas may be configured to withstand damage orcorrosion by including a permanent, semi-permanent, or temporaryanti-corrosive coating, an injection point for anti-corrosive chemicaladditive injections, and/or some combination thereof. Further, at leastone fluid path of the heat exchanger 117, 186 may be comprised of ananti-corrosive material, e.g., anti-corrosive metals or polymers.

In an example, the working fluid may be a fluid with a low boiling pointand/or high condensation point. In other words, a working fluid may boilat lower temperatures (for example, in relation to water), whilecondensing at higher temperatures (e.g., in relation to water) as willbe understood by a person skilled in the art. The working fluid may bean organic working fluid. The working fluid may be one or more ofpentafluoropropane, carbon dioxide, ammonia and water mixtures,tetrafluoroethane, isobutene, propane, pentane, perfluorocarbons, otherhydrocarbons, a zeotropic mixture of pentafluoropentane andcyclopentane, other zeotropic mixtures, and/or other fluids or fluidmixtures. The working fluid's boiling point and condensation point maybe different depending on the pressure within the working fluidpipelines e.g., the higher the pressure, the higher the boiling point.In another example, an intermediate working fluid may be a fluid with ahigher boiling point. For example, the intermediate working fluid may bea water or water glycol mixture. In such examples, as heat istransferred from the flow of gas, the exhaust, the fluid from the waterjacket, and/or from another source, the intermediate working fluid may,rather than exhibiting a vaporous phase change, remain in a liquidphase, while retaining the transferred heat. As a liquid, the higherboiling point intermediate working fluid may be more manageable and/oreasier to transport through the pipelines.

In an embodiment, the ORC unit 174 may include a generator, a gasexpander, a condenser, an internal heat exchanger, and a loop for theflow of working fluid. As an intermediate working fluid or other fluidflows into the ORC unit 174, the internal heat exchanger may facilitatetransfer of heat in the intermediate working fluid or other fluid to aworking fluid of the ORC unit 174. The heat may cause the working fluidof the ORC unit 174 to exhibit a phase change from a liquid to a vapor.The vaporous working fluid may flow into the gas expander. In anexample, the gas expander may be a turbine expander, positivedisplacement expander, scroll expander, screw expander, twin-screwexpander, vane expander, piston expander, other volumetric expander,and/or any other expander suitable for an ORC operation or cycle. As gasflows through the gas expander, a rotor or other component connected tothe gas expander may begin to turn, spin, or rotate. The rotor mayinclude an end with windings. The end with windings may correspond to astator including windings and a magnetic field (e.g., the end withwindings and stator with windings being a generator). As the rotor spinswithin the stator, electricity may be generated. Other generators may beutilized, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Thegenerator may produce DC power, AC power, single phase power, or threephase power. The vaporous working fluid may then flow from the gasexpander to a condenser, where the vaporous working fluid may exhibit aphase change back to the liquid working fluid. The liquid working fluidmay then flow back to the internal heat exchanger, the processrepeating.

The site 100, as shown utilizes an ORC unit 174 to generate electricalpower. In another embodiment, rather than or in addition to the ORC unit174, other geothermal-based generators may be utilized to generateelectrical power using the heat transferred to the working fluid fromthe flow of gas, engine exhaust, and/or fluid from a water jacket. Forexample, the geothermal-based generator may be another type ofbinary-cycle generator.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a novel implementation of anotherelectrical power generation enabled facility to provide electrical powerto one or more of equipment, operational equipment, energy storagedevices, and the grid power structure, according to one or moreembodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, at site 200, theintermediate working fluid may be pumped back from the ORC unit 174 toeach heat exchanger 117, 186, 189. In such examples, the working fluidreturn pipeline 206 may include a pump 202 or variable speed pump. Theworking fluid return pipeline 208 may include a pump 204 or variablespeed pump. In another embodiment, rather than or in addition to a pump202, 204, control valves may be disposed along the working fluid returnpipeline 206 to control or further control the working fluid orintermediate working fluid flow. In another embodiment, and as will bedescribed in further detail below, a supply manifold and a returnmanifold may be positioned between each heat exchanger 117, 186 and theORC unit 174. In such examples, the intermediate working fluid flowingfrom each of the heat exchangers 117, 186 may be consolidated via thesupply manifold, creating a single flow to the ORC unit 174. Theintermediate working fluid may flow from the ORC unit 174 to the returnmanifold. From the return manifold, the intermediate working fluid maybe controlled via flow control device to ensure that an amount ofworking fluid sufficient to maximize electrical output of the ORC unitand/or sufficient to maintain the temperature of the flow of gas flowsto each heat exchanger 117, 186.

In an embodiment, the operational equipment may include equipment at thesite. Operational equipment at the site may include pumps, fans (e.g.,for gas cooler 128), one or more controllers, and/or other equipment atthe site to either ensure proper operation or otherwise. Other equipmentmay include equipment to further process the flow of gas. In anotherembodiment, the electrical power generated may be used to powercryptographic currency and/or blockchain miners, hydrolyzers, carboncapture machines, nearby structures (e.g., residential or businessstructures or buildings), and/or other power destinations.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are other block diagrams illustrating novelimplementations of electrical power generation enabled facilities toprovide electrical power to one or more of equipment, operationalequipment, energy storage devices, and the grid power structure,according to one or more embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the site 300, 301 may include a controller 302 tocontrol operations of the control valves and other aspects of componentsor equipment at the site 300, 301 as described herein. In such examples,the controller 302 may include various inputs/outputs in signalcommunication with different components. For example, a set of inputs ofthe controller 302 may be in signal communication with the varioustemperature sensors disposed or positioned throughout the site 300, 301.The site 300, 301 may further include various other sensors in signalcommunication with the controller, such as flow meters, pressuresensors, pressure transducers, density meters, and/or othercharacteristics to measure various properties of the site 300, 301.

The controller 302 may include a set of inputs/outputs in signalcommunication with each of the control valves included in the site. Thecontroller 302 may determine the current position of each valve (e.g., adegree at which control valve is open). Further, the controller 302 mayadjust the position of each valve to a desired position, depending ondifferent measured or determined characteristics of the site 300, 301,thus controlling the flow of gas or other fluids to different areas orequipment at the site 300, 301.

As noted, the equipment associated with the ORC unit 174 and/or each ofthe heat exchangers 117, 186 may be installed at a site 300, 301 as akit. In an example, the controller 302 may connect to the equipmentadded at the site 301, rather than any temperature sensors or controlvalves already existing or installed at the site prior to installationof the kit.

As described, various valves and/or flow rates may be determined basedon a threshold defined by a temperature at which volatiles may condensein the flow of gas, a threshold defined by a temperature where acompressor or pump provides a higher output of gas, and/or a selectedoperating temperature range or window defined by one or moretemperatures (e.g., temperatures at which volatiles condense in the flowgas, where a compressor or pump provides a higher output of gas, thelowest potential temperature the flow of gas may be cooled to, and/orother temperatures of other fluids at the site). The controller 302 maydetermine such thresholds and/or temperature ranges. In anotherembodiment, the thresholds and/or operating ranges may be preset. In yetanother embodiment, a user may enter the thresholds and/or operatingranges into the controller 302 via a user interface. The controller 302may determine such thresholds and/or operating ranges based on the typeof gas, the flow rate of the gas (e.g., determined by a flow meterpositioned at the site), the density of the gas (e.g., determined byvarious sensors or meters positioned at the site), some othercharacteristics of the gas, the type of compressor or pump, and/oroperating characteristics of the compressor or pump.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are other block diagrams illustrating novelimplementations of electrical power generation enabled facilities toprovide electrical power to one or more of equipment, energy storagedevices, and the grid power structure, according to one or moreembodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the ORC unit 174 mayinclude a single water or other fluid intake/outtake 406 (see FIG. 4A)or may include a warm fluid intake/outtake 176 and/or a hot fluidintake/outtake 177 (see FIG. 4B). However, as the equipment at the site400, 401 operates, if different equipment is utilized (e.g., types ofengines or other equipment), if different gasses at differenttemperatures are compressed, and/or as the ambient temperaturefluctuates. working fluid flowing through a particular heat exchanger(e.g., heat exchanger 117, heat exchanger 186, and/or another heatexchanger) may fluctuate from warm to hot or hot to warm. As such, ifthe ORC unit 174 includes a warm fluid intake/outtake 176 and a hotfluid intake/outtake 177 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4B), then astemperatures fluctuate different working fluids may be diverted orredirected to the proper intake (e.g., warm or hot water intake). Asillustrated, the heat exchanger 117, 186 may accept two different fluids(e.g., a first compressed and a second compressed gas or exhaust andwater jacket fluid). In other embodiments, each heat source (e.g., flowof gas, engine exhaust, etc.) may pass through a single heat exchanger.Further, each heat exchanger 117, 186 may be brought to the site via atransportation vehicle, such as a truck. The heat exchanger 117, 186 mayremain on the transportation vehicle during operation or may beinstalled or fixed to the site, for example on a skid.

In an embodiment and as illustrated in FIG. 4A, each heat exchanger,117, 186, 189 may connect to a supply valve 402 or manifold to transportthe flow of intermediate working fluid to the intake of an ORC unit 174.Further, each heat exchanger 117, 186, 189 may connect to a return valve404 or manifold to receive the intermediate fluid from the ORC unit 174.In another embodiment, the supply valve 402 or manifold and/or returnvalve 404 or manifold may control, either directly or indirectly (e.g.,via another flow control device), the amount or rate of flow ofintermediate working fluid flowing to the ORC unit 174 and/or to eachheat exchanger 117, 186, 189.

In another embodiment and as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the site 401 mayinclude a separate supply valve 408 or manifold and return valve 410 ormanifold for hot intermediate fluid supply/return. In such examples, theseparate supply valve 408 or manifold and return valve 410 or manifoldmay control the flow of intermediate working fluid based on temperatureof the intermediate working fluid.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating novel implementations of one ormore sites to provide heated fluid to an ORC unit to generate electricalpower, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In anembodiment, the flow of gas at a site 500 may be compressed more thantwo times, as shown previously. For example, a site 500 may include manysmall compressors, one or more large compressors, or some combinationthereof. Further, the site 500 may include one or more engines for oneor more of the compressors. The one or more engines may include varioustypes of engines, such as a reciprocating engine, a turbine engine, afossil fuel based engine, an electric engine, or other type of enginesuitable for use with a compressor. Depending on the type of engineutilized, the engine may or may not be utilized as a type of heatsource. For example, a turbine engine may not include a water jacket,but produce exhaust, while an electric engine may not produce exhaust.In another example, other equipment at the site may generate heat. Insuch examples, the other sources of heat may be utilized in conjunctionwith a heat exchanger or directly with the ORC unit. In yet anotherexample, the gas cooler may be utilized or reconfigured to heat aworking fluid. For example, typical gas coolers may be air coolers oranother type of heat exchanger. The air cooler may be reconfigured suchthat a working fluid is utilized to cool the flow of gas or new heatexchanger installed. In another example, the gas cooler may not beutilized in lieu of the additional heat exchangers (e.g., the gas coolermay be shut down, as the flow of gas may be sufficiently cooled prior tothe gas cooler).

FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, FIG. 6D, FIG. 6E, and FIG. 6F are blockdiagrams illustrating novel implementations of an organic Rankin cycle(ORC) unit receiving warm and/or hot fluid from one or more heatexchangers via a supply manifold and a return manifold, according to oneor more embodiment of the disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, thesite may include a supply manifold 604 and a return manifold 606. Insuch examples, an intermediate working fluid may coalesce or combine ateach manifold (e.g., the supply manifold 604 and the return manifold606). For example, the intermediate working fluid may flow from each ofthe heat exchangers 602A, 602B, 602C, 062D, and up to 602N and combineat the supply manifold. The intermediate working fluid may then flowthrough the ORC unit 608 then back to the return manifold 606, where theintermediate working fluid may then flow back to each of the heatexchangers 602A, 602B, 602C, 062D, and up to 602N. As noted anddescribed herein, a flow of gas 102, exhaust 646, and/or fluid from awater jacket 648 may flow to one of the one or more exchangers 602A,602B, 602C, 062D, and up to 602N via various valves and pipeline. Thesupply manifold 604, return manifold 606, the flow control devices, thesensors, and/or any other devices described in FIGS. 6A-6F may bepositioned or disposed at various points in between the ORC units andheat exchangers in FIG. 1A through FIG. 5.

In FIG. 6B, each pipeline from the heat exchangers 602A, 602B, 602C,602D, and up to 602N to the supply manifold 604 may include a sensor642A, 642B, 642C, 642D, and up to 642N, such as a temperature sensor,flow meter, or other sensor to measure some characteristic of theintermediate working fluid. Each pipeline from the return manifold 606to the heat exchangers 602A, 602B, 602C, 602D, and up to 602N mayinclude a sensor 644A, 644B, 644C, 644D, and up to 644N, such as atemperature sensor, flow meter, or other sensor to measure somecharacteristic of the intermediate working fluid. Further, the pipelinepositioned between the return manifold 606 and the ORC unit 608 mayinclude one or more flow control devices 624, 626, in addition to one ormore sensors 638, 640 (e.g., temperature sensors or some other suitablesensor), thereby controlling the flow of intermediate working fluid fromthe ORC unit 608 to the return manifold 606. Each pipeline from thereturn manifold 606 to the heat exchangers 602A, 602B, 602C, 602D, andup to 602N may further include a flow control device 622A, 622B, 622C,622D, and up to 622N thereby controlling the flow of the intermediateworking fluid from the return manifold 606 to each of the heatexchangers 602A, 602B, 602C, 602D, and up to 602N. Utilizing variouscombinations of each sensor and each flow control device, thetemperature and flow of the intermediate working fluid may be conciselycontrolled. The pipeline from the supply manifold 604 to the ORC unit608 can include a sensor 636 to measure temperature or some othercharacteristic of the working fluid. Based on the measurements ordeterminations of the temperature or other characteristic of the workingfluid (e.g., flow, pressure, density, etc.), the flow control devicesmay adjust the amount of working fluid flowing to each of the one ormore heat exchangers ensuring that the proper amount of working fluidflows to each of the one or more exchangers. For example, one of theheat exchangers may not be producing heat for use in the ORC unit 608.In such examples, the flow control device associated with thatparticular heat exchanger may prevent further flow of working fluid tothe that heat exchanger.

In FIG. 6C, the flow control devices positioned between the returnmanifold 606 and each of the one or more heat exchangers 602A, 602B,602C, 602D, and up to 602N may be control valves 628A, 628B, 628C, 628D,and up to 628N. The flow control devices between the return manifold 606and the ORC unit 608 may be a pump 630, while the flow control devicewithin the ORC unit 608 may be a pump 632. In FIG. 6D, the flow controldevices used throughout the site may be pumps 634A, 634B, 634C, 634D,and up to 634N or variable speed pumps. In FIG. 6E, the flow controldevices may include some combination of one or more control valves 628A,628B, 628C, 628D, and up to 628N and/or one or more pumps 634A, 634B,634C, 634D, and up to 634N. In an embodiment, the one or more flowcontrol devices 624, 626, 622A, 622B, 622C, 622D, and up to 622N mayinclude one or more of a fixed speed pump, a variable speed drive pump,a control valve, an actuated valve, or other suitable device to controlflow of a fluid.

Finally, in FIG. 6F, the site may include a warm supply manifold 614 anda warm return manifold 616, for controlling the flow of warm workingfluid from warm water heat exchangers 610A, 610B, and up to 610N to awarm fluid intake/outtake of the ORC unit 608. The site may also includea hot supply manifold 618 and a hot return manifold 620, for controllingthe flow of hot working fluid from hot water heat exchangers 612A, 612B,and up to 612N to a hot fluid intake/outtake of the ORC unit 608.

In such embodiments, the flow of working fluid to any of the heatexchangers (e.g., heat exchangers 602A, 602B, 602C, 602D, and up to602N, warm water heat exchangers 610A, 610B, and up to 610N, and/or hotwater heat exchangers 612A, 612B, and up to 612N) may be controlled viathe flow control devices to manage, adjust, or maintain a temperature ofthe flow of gas, if a flow of gas flows therethrough. For example, thetotal percentage of working fluid flowing to each heat exchanger, forexample heat exchangers 602A, 602B, 602C, 602D, and up to 602N, mayinitially be equal. As temperatures vary and the temperature of the flowof gas rises or falls, then the percentage or amount of working fluid toa particular heat exchanger may be increased or decreased to lower orraise, respectively, the temperature of the flow of gas flowingtherethrough.

For example, to increase the temperature of a flow of gas flowingthrough heat exchanger 602A, flow control device 622A may decrease thepercentage of working fluid flowing to heat exchanger 602A by about 5%,about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, or up to about 90%. Such a decrease inthe rate of flow may inhibit the transfer of heat to the working fluid,allowing the overall temperature of the flow of gas to increase. Inanother example, to decrease the temperature of a flow of gas flowingthrough heat exchanger 602A, flow control device 622A may increase thepercentage of working fluid flowing to heat exchanger 602A by about 5%,about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, or up to about 90%. Such an increase inthe rate of flow may further facilitate the transfer of heat to theworking fluid, allowing the overall temperature of the flow of gas todecrease. In either example, the percentage of increase/decrease of theflow of working fluid may be based on various factors or variables, suchas the desired temperature or range of temperatures of the flow of gas,the amount of electrical power currently generated, the desired amountof electrical power to be generated, the total temperature and/or flowrate of the working fluid (e.g., the temperature and/or flow rate of theworking fluid flowing between the supply manifold 604 and ORC unit 608),the temperature and/or flow rate of the working fluid flowing to and/orfrom a heat exchanger (e.g., heat exchangers 602A, 602B, 602C, 602D, andup to 602N), the total amount of working fluid, and/or the rate of flowof working fluid for each heat exchanger (e.g., heat exchangers 602A,602B, 602C, 602D, and up to 602N). Such working fluid flow rateadjustments may be made intermittently or continuously. In a furtherexample, an adjustment to a particular working fluid flow rate may beperformed and then temperatures, flow rates, and/or othercharacteristics may be determined. Further adjustments may be performedand temperatures, flow rates, and/or other characteristics may bedetermined again. Such operations may be performed until the temperatureof the flow of gas and/or the working fluid is at a desired temperature,with a selected operating range or window, and/or steady-statetemperature.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are simplified diagrams illustrating a controlsystem for managing electrical power production at a facility, accordingto one or more embodiment of the disclosure. A master controller 702 maymanage the operations of electrical power generation at a facilityduring gas compression. The master controller 702 may be one or morecontrollers, a supervisory controller, programmable logic controller(PLC), a computing device (such as a laptop, desktop computing device,and/or a server), an edge server, a cloud based computing device, and/orother suitable devices. The master controller 702 may be located at ornear the facility or site. The master controller 702 may be locatedremote from the facility. The master controller 702, as noted, may bemore than one controller. In such cases, the master controller 702 maybe located near or at various facilities and/or at other off-sitelocations. The master controller 702 may include a processor 704, or oneor more processors, and memory 706. The memory 706 may includeinstructions. In an example, the memory 706 may be a non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium. As used herein, a “non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium” may be any electronic, magnetic,optical, or other physical storage apparatus to contain or storeinformation such as executable instructions, data, and the like. Forexample, any machine-readable storage medium described herein may be anyof random access memory (RAM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory,flash memory, a storage drive (e.g., hard drive), a solid state drive,any type of storage disc, and the like, or a combination thereof. Asnoted, the memory 706 may store or include instructions executable bythe processor 704. As used herein, a “processor” may include, forexample one processor or multiple processors included in a single deviceor distributed across multiple computing devices. The processor may beat least one of a central processing unit (CPU), a semiconductor-basedmicroprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a field-programmablegate array (FPGA) to retrieve and execute instructions, a real timeprocessor (RTP), other electronic circuitry suitable for the retrievaland execution instructions stored on a machine-readable storage medium,or a combination thereof.

As used herein, “signal communication” refers to electric communicationsuch as hard wiring two components together or wireless communicationfor remote monitoring and control/operation, as understood by thoseskilled in the art. For example, wireless communication may be Wi-Fi®,Bluetooth®, ZigBee, cellular wireless communication, satellitecommunication, or forms of near field communications. In addition,signal communication may include one or more intermediate controllers orrelays disposed between elements that are in signal communication withone another.

The master controller 702 may include instructions 708 to measure thetemperature at various points in the facility or at the site. Forexample, the temperature at the inlet of one or more heat exchangers maybe measured or sensed from one or more heat exchanger inlet temperaturesensors 714A, 714B, and up to 714N. The temperature at the outlet of oneor more heat exchangers may be measured from one or more heat exchangeroutlet temperature sensors 716A, 716B, and up to 716N. The mastercontroller 702 may further include instructions 712 to measure theamount of electrical power output from the ORC unit 722. In anembodiment, the facility or site may include one or more ORC units and,in such examples, each ORC unit may connect to the master controller 702to provide, among other information, the amount of electrical poweroutput over time.

The master controller 702 may further connect to one or more heatexchanger valves 720A, 720B, and up to 720N and gas bypass valves 718A,718B, and up to 718N. The master controller 702 may include instructions710 to adjust each of these valves based on various factors. Forexample, if the temperature measured from one of the heat exchangers isbelow a threshold or outside of a selected operating temperature rangeor window, then the master controller 702 may transmit a signal causingone or more of the heat exchanger valves 720A, 720B, up to 720N toclose. Such a threshold may be defined by the temperature sufficient toensure the ORC unit 722 generates an amount of electrical power. Theoperating temperature range or window may be defined by an operatingtemperature of the ORC unit 722 and/or by the lowest and highestpotential temperature of the flow of gas. In another example, based on aheat exchanger inlet temperature and an outlet temperature, the mastercontroller 702 may adjust, via a signal transmitted to, one of the oneor more gas bypass valves 718A, 718B, up to 718N. The master controller702 may consider other factors (e.g., temperature, pressure, density,composition, etc.) as described herein.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the master controller 702 may include instructions726 to measure the working fluid temperature via one or more heatexchanger working fluid inlet temperature sensor 730A, 730B, up to 730Nand/or one or more heat exchanger working fluid inlet temperature sensor732A, 732B, up to 732N. The master controller 702 may includeinstructions 728 to adjust the flow of working fluid to any one of theone or more heat exchangers based on the measured temperatures. The flowof the working fluid may be adjusted by the master controller 702, asnoted, based on various temperature measurements of the working fluid,via one or more working fluid flow control devices 734A, 734B, up to734N and/or a master flow control device 736. In an embodiment, theadjustment of the flow of working fluid may occur to adjust thetemperature of the flow of gas through a corresponding heat exchanger.Thus, instructions 726 and instructions 728 may be included in or withor may be a sub-routine or sub-module of instructions 710.

In an embodiment, the master controller 702 may connect to a userinterface 724. A user may interact with the master controller 702 viathe user interface 724. The user may manually enter each of thethresholds and/or the operating temperature ranges or windows describedherein and/or may manually adjust any of the control valves describedherein.

FIGS. 8A through 8D are flow diagrams of electrical power generation inwhich, during gas compression, working fluid heated via the flow of gasfacilitates ORC operations, according to one or more embodiment of thedisclosure. The method is detailed with reference to the mastercontroller 702 and system 700 of FIG. 7A. Unless otherwise specified,the actions of method 800 may be completed within the master controller702. Specifically, methods 800, 801, 803, and 805 may be included in oneor more programs, protocols, or instructions loaded into the memory ofthe master controller 702 and executed on the processor or one or moreprocessors of the master controller 702. The order in which theoperations are described is not intended to be construed as alimitation, and any number of the described blocks may be combined inany order and/or in parallel to implement the methods.

Turning first to method 800, at block 802, the master controller 702 maydetermine a first temperature at the heat exchanger inlet based on atemperature sensor positioned at the heat exchanger inlet (e.g., theheat exchanger external or internal to an ORC unit). The heat exchangerinlet may be associated with a particular heat exchanger (e.g., thefirst heat exchanger).

At block 804, the master controller 702 may determine the secondtemperature of the fluid at the heat exchanger outlet. Othertemperatures or characteristics of the fluid and/or other fluid may bedetermined, such as working fluid temperature and/or flow rates of theworking fluid, pressure of the working fluid, flow rates of the fluid(e.g., the flow rate of the flow of gas), and/or density of the fluid.

At block 806, the master controller 702 may determine whether thetemperature within an operating temperature range or window. Such anoperating temperature range or window may be defined by one or more ofthe temperature at which volatiles condense in the fluid (e.g., in theflow of gas), the temperature of working fluid at which an ORC unit isable to generate electrical power, and/or other temperatures of otherfluids used on site. In another embodiment, the operating temperaturemay further be defined by the condensation point or dew point of theflow of gas. At block 808, if the temperature is not within theoperating temperature range or window, the master controller 702 mayadjust a bypass valve. Adjustment of the bypass valve may, in otherembodiments, be based on various thresholds of various fluids at thesite (e.g., pressure of working fluid or flow of gas, temperature ofworking fluid or flow of gas, composition of the working fluid or flowof gas, etc.). The bypass valve may divert a portion of the fluid (e.g.,flow of gas) away from the heat exchanger thereby increasing thetemperature of the fluid (e.g., flow of gas). In other words, a portionof the fluid, prior to cooling in the heat exchanger may be introducedinto the remaining portion of the fluid from the heat exchanger. If thebypass valve is at a position other than fully closed and thetemperature is above the operating temperature range or window, theportion of the fluid (e.g., flow of gas) may be prevented by furtherclosing the bypass valve to decrease the temperature of the fluid (e.g.,flow of gas). Otherwise, if the temperature is within the operatingtemperature range or window, the method 800 may be executed again.

Turning to FIG. 8B, method 801 includes additional processes oroperations to the processes or operations described for method 800. Atblock 810, the master controller 702 may determine whether one or moregas compressors are operating. If a gas compressor is not operating, themaster controller 702 may wait a specified amount of time and determineagain whether any of the one or more gas compressors are operating. Inanother embodiment, a user may indicate, for example, via the userinterface 724, whether gas compression has begun. If any of the one ormore gas compressors are operating, the master controller 702 mayproceed to perform the next operation.

At block 812, the master controller 702 may open a first heat exchangervalve or any other heat exchanger valve. If the first heat exchangervalve is already open, then the master controller 702 may not adjust thefirst heat exchanger. In an embodiment, the master controller 702 mayopen and/or adjust a heat exchanger valve by transmitting a signal tothe heat exchanger valve indicating the position that the heat exchangervalve should be adjusted to.

As described above, at block 802, the master controller 702 maydetermine a first temperature at the heat exchanger inlet based on atemperature sensor positioned at the heat exchanger inlet. At block 814,the master controller 702 may determine whether the fluid flowing intothe heat exchanger within an input operating range, input operatingrange defined by the minimum temperature and a maximum temperature. Theminimum temperature may be defined by the lowest temperature at which anORC unit may generate electricity. The maximum temperature may bedefined by a temperature at which an ORC generates a maximum amount ofelectricity. In other embodiments, the maximum temperature may bedefined by a maximum operating temperature of the ORC unit. The maximumtemperature may be utilized to determine, at least in part, the positionof the bypass valve or how much working fluid may flow to the heatexchanger. Such a minimum temperature may be about 25° C., about 30° C.,or a greater value which may be based on any temperature drop betweenheat transfer.

At block 816, if the fluid (e.g., a flow of gas) is not within the inputoperating range, master controller 702 may close or adjust the heatexchanger valve (e.g., the first heat exchanger valve).

At block 818, the master controller 702 may wait a specified period oftime prior to re-opening the heat exchanger valve (e.g., the first heatexchanger valve). After the specified period of time the controller mayre-open the first heat exchanger valve and check the temperature of thefluid again to determine whether the fluid is within the input operatingrange. In some examples, the rather than re-opening the first heatexchanger valve, the master controller 702 may determine the inlettemperature of the fluid and adjust the heat exchanger valve based onthe inlet temperature.

As described above, at block 804, if the fluid is at a temperaturewithin the input operating range, the master controller 702 maydetermine the second temperature of the fluid at the heat exchangeroutlet. At block 806, the master controller 702 may determine whetherthe temperature is within an operating range. The operating range may bedefined by the temperature at which volatiles condense in the fluid(e.g., in the flow of gas), the temperature of working fluid at which anORC unit is able to generate electrical power, and/or other temperaturesof other fluids used on site. At block 808, if the temperature isoutside of the operating temperature, the master controller 702 mayadjust a bypass valve. The bypass valve may divert more or less of aportion of the fluid (e.g., flow of gas) away from the heat exchangerthereby increasing or decreasing the temperature of the fluid (e.g.,flow of gas). In other words, a portion of the fluid, prior to coolingin the heat exchanger may be introduced into the remaining portion ofthe fluid from the heat exchanger.

Turning to FIG. 8C, the method 803 may include the same or similaroperations as method 801 with the addition of block 820. At block 820,the temperature of the flow of gas may further be maintained based on anadjusted working fluid flow. In other words, the working fluid flowingthrough the heat exchanger may be increased or decreased depending onwhether the temperature of the flow of gas is to be decreased orincreased. For example, if the temperature of the flow of gas is too lowor below the operating range or window at block 806, the mastercontroller 702 may decrease the flow of working fluid to the heatexchanger. In such examples, rather than following such a step withadjustment of the bypass valve, the master controller 702 may wait aspecified period of time for the temperature to stabilize, determine thetemperature again, and then adjust the bypass valve or re-adjust theamount of working fluid flow to further adjust the temperature of theflow of gas.

Turning to FIG. 8D, the method 805 may include the same or similaroperations as method 803 with the addition of block 822. At block 822,the master controller 702 may determine if the temperature of the flowof gas is within a second operating range defined by a compressor orpump efficiency (e.g., the range of temperatures at which the compressoror pump operates to output higher amounts of gas). If the temperature isabove or below the second operating range, the master controller 702 mayfurther adjust working fluid flow and/or bypass valve position. In anembodiment, the second operating range may be defined by a compressor orpump efficiency. The second operating range may be based on various andvarying other factors related to a compressor and/or pump. Such factorsmay include the type of gas and/or the density of the gas. For example,for a specific type of gas, the condensation or dew point may be aparticular temperature. The compressor or pump may output the highestrate of gas at another temperature for gasses of that particulardensity. As such, the operating range may include the other temperatureand the condensation or dew point temperature, based on a measurement ofthe density of the gas and a determination of the condensation or dewpoint of the gas.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are flow diagrams of electrical power generation inwhich, during gas compression, working fluid is heated via engineexhaust and/or water jacket fluid flow, according to one or moreembodiment of the disclosure. The method is detailed with reference tothe master controller 702 and system 900 of FIG. 9. Unless otherwisespecified, the actions of method 900 may be completed within the mastercontroller 702. Specifically, method 900 may be included in one or moreprograms, protocols, or instructions loaded into the memory of themaster controller 702 and executed on the processor or one or moreprocessors of the master controller 702. The order in which theoperations are described is not intended to be construed as alimitation, and any number of the described blocks may be combined inany order and/or in parallel to implement the methods.

Turning to FIG. 9A, at block 902, the master controller 702 maydetermine whether the gas compressor is operating. If the gas compressoris not operating, the master controller 702 may wait and perform thedetermination again. If the gas compressor is operating, the mastercontroller 702 may proceed to perform the next operation.

At block 904, fluid (e.g., exhaust) produced by the engine may betransported to a first heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger mayfacilitate heat transfer from the fluid (e.g., exhaust) to a workingfluid or intermediate work fluid. The heated working fluid orintermediate working fluid may be utilized by an ORC unit to generateelectrical power during an ORC operation. The working fluid orintermediate working fluid may be considered warm or hot and may beutilized in a warm or low temperature ORC operation or a hot or hightemperature ORC operation, respectively. Blocks 904 and 906 may beexecuted continuously as a gas compressor operates, the gas compressorbeing operated or driven by one or more engines.

At block 906, fluid from a water jacket may be transported to a secondheat exchanger. The second heat exchanger may facilitate heat transferfrom the fluid of the water jacket to a working fluid or intermediatework fluid. The heated working fluid or intermediate working fluid maybe utilized by an ORC unit to generate electrical power during an ORCoperation. The working fluid or intermediate working fluid may beconsidered warm or hot and may be utilized in a warm or low temperatureORC operation or a hot or high temperature ORC operation, respectively.

Turning to FIG. 9B, the method 901 may include blocks 902 and 904. Afterblock 904 is executed, at block 906 the master controller 702 maydetermine the temperature and/or thermal mass of the exhaust. The mastercontroller 702 may determine the temperature based on feedback from atemperature sensor associated with the exhaust. Thermal mass may bedetermined further, in addition to temperature, based on a flow rate ofthe exhaust measured or sensed by an additional sensor.

At block 910, the master controller 702 may determine whether thetemperature or thermal mass of the exhaust is within a range or window.The range or window may be defined by a maximum operating temperature orthermal mass of the first heat exchanger and a minimum temperature orthermal mass at which ORC equipment generates electricity.

At block 912, if the temperature is above or below the range or window,the master controller 702 may adjust an exhaust control valve. Theexhaust control valve may partially or fully divert a portion of theexhaust produced by the engine. In another embodiment, the exhaustcontrol valve may be adjusted to maintain the first heat exchanger. Overtime, scaling or depositions of particulates in the exhaust may build.As such, the first heat exchanger may be cleaned or maintained to removethe buildup and, during such cleaning or maintenance, the exhaustcontrol valve may be fully closed. Once the first heat exchanger hasbeen maintained, the exhaust control valve may be adjusted to allow theexhaust to flow to the first heat exchanger. In another embodiment, aportion of the exhaust may be diverted (e.g., via the exhaust controlvalve) from the first heat exchanger to limit the amount of scalingand/or deposition of particulates. In yet another embodiment, theexhaust control valve may be adjusted to prevent interruption ofcatalyst performance.

This application is related to U.S. Provisional Application No.63/261,601, filed Sep. 24, 2021, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS UTILIZINGGAS TEMPERATURE AS A POWER SOURCE,” U.S. Provisional Application No.63/200,908, filed Apr. 2, 2021, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORGENERATING GEOTHERMAL POWER DURING HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION,” U.S.application Ser. No. 17/305,296, filed Jul. 2, 2021, titled “CONTROLLERFOR CONTROLLING GENERATION OF GEOTHERMAL POWER IN AN ORGANIC RANKINECYCLE OPERATION DURING HYDORCARBON PRODUCTION,” U.S. application Ser.No. 17/305,298, filed Jul. 2, 2021, titled “SYSTEMS FOR GENERATINGGEOTHERMAL POWER IN AN ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE OPERATION DURINGHYDORCARBON PRODUCTION BASED ON WELLHEAD FLUID TEMPERATURE,” U.S.application Ser. No. 17/305,297, filed Jul. 2, 2021, titled “SYSTEMS FORGENERATING GEOTHERMAL POWER IN AN ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE OPERATION DURINGHYDORCARBON PRODUCTION BASED ON WORKING FLUID TEMPERATURE,” U.S.application Ser. No. 17/305,294, filed Jul. 2, 2021, titled “METHODS FORGENERATING GEOTHERMAL POWER IN AN ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE OPERATION DURINGHYDORCARBON PRODUCTION BASED ON WELLHEAD FLUID TEMPERATURE,” and U.S.application Ser. No. 17/305,293, filed Jul. 2, 2021, titled “METHODS FORGENERATING GEOTHERMAL POWER IN AN ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE OPERATION DURINGHYDORCARBON PRODUCTION BASED ON WORKING FLUID TEMPERATURE,” thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

In the drawings and specification, several embodiments of systems andmethods to provide electrical power from heat of a flow of gas and/orother source have been disclosed, and although specific terms areemployed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. Embodiments of systems and methods have beendescribed in considerable detail with specific reference to theillustrated embodiments. However, it will be apparent that variousmodifications and changes can be made within the spirit and scope of theembodiments of systems and methods as described in the foregoingspecification, and such modifications and changes are to be consideredequivalents and part of this disclosure

1. A method for generating power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC)operation to supply electrical power to one or more of operationalequipment, a grid power structure, or an energy storage device, themethod comprising: determining an inlet temperature of a flow ofcompressed gas from a source to a heat exchanger, the source connectedto a main pipeline, the main pipeline connected to a supply pipeline,and the supply pipeline connected to the heat exchanger thereby to allowcompressed gas to flow from the source to the heat exchanger, the heatexchanger positioned to transfer heat from the flow of compressed gas toa flow of a working fluid, thereby to cause an ORC unit to generateelectrical power; determining an outlet temperature of the flow of thecompressed gas from the heat exchanger to a return pipeline; and inresponse to a determination that the flow of the compressed gas iswithin a selected operating temperature range, adjusting the flow ofworking fluid to a percentage sufficient to maintain temperature of theflow of compressed gas within the selected operating temperature range.2. The method of claim 1, wherein a flow control device adjusts the flowof the working fluid to maintain the temperature of the flow ofcompressed gas within the selected operating temperature.
 3. The methodof claim 2, wherein the flow control device includes one or more of apump, a variable speed pump, a control valve, or an actuated valve. 4.The method of claim 2, wherein the flow control device adjusts the flowof the working fluid based on one or more of (a) the selected operatingtemperature range, (b) a temperature drop of the flow of compressed gas,(c) the inlet temperature, or (d) the outlet temperature.
 5. The methodof claim 4, wherein the temperature drop of the flow of compressed gasis the temperature drop of the flow of compressed gas after passagethrough a gas cooler.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:sensing, via an ambient temperature sensor, the ambient temperature ofan environment external to the main pipeline, the supply pipeline, thereturn pipeline, the heat exchanger, and the ORC unit; and determiningthe temperature drop of the flow of compressed gas after passage throughthe gas cooler based on the outlet temperature, the ambient temperature,and a predicted temperature drop differential.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the predicted temperature drop differential is based on a typeof the gas cooler and the ambient temperature.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the heat exchanger is included within the ORC unit.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is an intermediate heatexchanger external from the ORC unit and wherein the working fluid is anintermediate working fluid.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein thesource includes one or more compressors and wherein operation of the oneor more compressors occurs via one or more engines.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising, during operation of the one or morecompressors via one or more engines, transporting exhaust produced byone of the one or more engines to a second heat exchanger, the secondheat exchanger to indirectly transfer heat from the exhaust to a flow ofan intermediate working fluid, thereby to cause the ORC unit to generateelectrical power.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein prior to transportof the exhaust to the second heat exchanger: sensing, via an exhaustinlet sensor, an exhaust thermal mass of the exhaust produced by one ofthe one or more engines; and in response to the exhaust thermal massbeing within an exhaust thermal mass range, adjusting an exhaust controlvalve to partially or fully prevent flow of the exhaust from the one ofthe one or more engines to the second heat exchanger.
 13. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising, during operation of the one or morecompressors via one or more engines, transporting a flow of heatedcoolant from a water jacket associated with one of the one or moreengines to a second heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger toindirectly transfer heat from the heated coolant to a flow of anintermediate working fluid, thereby to cause the ORC unit to generateelectrical power.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein prior to transportof the heated coolant to the second heat exchanger: sensing, via a waterjacket inlet temperature sensor, a heated coolant temperature of theflow of heated coolant from the water jacket; and in response to theheated coolant temperature being within a water jacket temperaturerange, adjusting a water jacket control valve to prevent flow of theheated coolant from the water jacket to the second heat exchanger. 15.The method of claim 1, wherein the operational equipment includes one ormore of on-site (1) pumps, (2) heat exchangers, or (3) controllers. 16.The method of claim 1, wherein the compressed gas includes one or moreof compressed (1) natural gas, (2) renewable natural gas, (3) landfillgas, and (4) organic waste gas.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein inlettemperature and outlet temperature is determined for a plurality of heatexchangers, each of the plurality of heat exchangers supplying heatedworking fluid to a supply manifold.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinthe supply manifold supplies aggregated heated working fluid to the ORCunit, and wherein the ORC unit returns cooled working fluid to a returnmanifold.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the return manifoldtransports an amount of cooled working fluid to each of the plurality ofheat exchangers.
 20. A method for generating power in an organic Rankinecycle (ORC) operation in the vicinity of a pumping station during gascompression and transport thereby to supply electrical power to one ormore of operational equipment, a grid power structure, or an energystorage device, the method comprising: during one or more stage gascompressions via one or more compressors located at a pumping stationand for each of the one or more compressors associated with the pumpingstation: sensing, via a working fluid first heat exchanger outletsensor, a temperature of a flow of working fluid, the flow of workingfluid flowing from a first heat exchanger, the first heat exchanger toreceive a flow of gas from a source via a supply pipeline connected tothe first heat exchanger; in response to a determination that thetemperature of the flow of working fluid is at or above a threshold,maintaining one or more of (1) a heat exchanger control valve position,the heat exchanger control valve positioned on the supply pipeline tocontrol flow of gas to the first heat exchanger, or (2) a working fluidflow control device output, the working fluid flow control devicepositioned on a pipeline connected to a working fluid inlet of the firstheat exchanger to control flow of the working fluid to the first heatexchanger, the first heat exchanger to indirectly transfer heat from theflow of gas to the flow of the working fluid, the threshold to indicatethat the working fluid is at a temperature to cause an ORC unit togenerate electrical power, sensing, via an outlet temperature sensor, atemperature of a flow of the gas from the first heat exchanger to areturn pipeline, and in response to a determination that the temperatureof the flow of the gas from the first heat exchanger is within aselected operating temperature range, adjusting, via the working fluidflow control device, the output of the working fluid flow control devicesufficient to maintain temperature of the flow of compressed gas withinthe selected operating temperature; and during operation of the one ormore compressors via one or more engines and for each of the one or moreengines, transporting exhaust produced by one of the one or more enginesfrom to a second heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger to indirectlytransfer heat from the exhaust to a flow of a working fluid, thereby tocause the ORC unit to generate electrical power.
 21. The method of claim20, wherein heat transferred from the exhaust to the working fluid ofthe second heat exchanger is utilized in a hot fluid intake of the ORCunit.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein heat transferred from the flowof gas to the working fluid of the first heat exchanger is utilized in awarm fluid intake of the ORC unit.
 23. A method for generating power inan organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation to supply electrical power toone or more of operational equipment, a grid power structure, or anenergy storage device, the method comprising: determining a temperatureof a flow of working fluid, the flow of working fluid flowing from aheat exchanger, the heat exchanger to receive a flow of gas from asource via a supply pipeline connected to the heat exchanger; inresponse to a determination that the temperature of the flow of workingfluid is at or above a threshold, maintaining one or more of (1) a heatexchanger control valve position, the heat exchanger control valvepositioned on the supply pipeline to control flow of gas to the heatexchanger, or (2) a working fluid flow control device output, theworking fluid flow control device positioned on a pipeline connected toa working fluid inlet of the heat exchanger to control flow of theworking fluid to the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger to indirectlytransfer heat from the flow of gas to the flow of the working fluid, thethreshold to indicate that the working fluid is at a temperature tocause an ORC unit to generate electrical power; determining an outlettemperature of the flow of the gas from the heat exchanger to a returnpipeline; and in response to a determination that the flow of the gas iswithin a selected operating temperature range, adjusting the flow ofworking fluid to a percentage sufficient to maintain temperature of theflow of gas within the selected operating temperature.
 24. The method ofclaim 23, wherein the working fluid flow control device is a controlvalve and wherein the working fluid flow control device output isadjusted based on an opened/closed position of the control valve.
 25. Amethod for generating power during gas compression to supply electricalpower to one or more of operational equipment, a grid power structure,or an energy storage device, the method comprising: determining an inlettemperature of a flow of compressed gas from a source to a heatexchanger, the source connected to a main pipeline, the main pipelineconnected to a supply pipeline, and the supply pipeline connected to theheat exchanger thereby to allow compressed gas to flow from the sourceto the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger positioned to transfer heatfrom the flow of compressed gas to a flow of a working fluid, thereby togenerate electrical power; determining an outlet temperature of the flowof the compressed gas from the heat exchanger to a return pipeline; andin response to a determination that a temperature of the flow of thecompressed gas is outside a temperature range based on the inlettemperature and the outlet temperature, adjusting the flow of workingfluid to a percentage sufficient to maintain temperature of the flow ofcompressed gas within the range.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein aminimum temperature of the temperature range is based on a temperatureat which volatiles condense in the flow of gas.
 27. The method of claim24, wherein inlet temperature and outlet temperature is determined for aplurality of heat exchangers, each of the plurality of heat exchangerssupplying heated working fluid to a supply manifold.
 28. The method ofclaim 27, wherein the supply manifold supplies aggregated heated workingfluid to an ORC unit, and wherein the ORC unit returns cooled workingfluid to a return manifold.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein thereturn manifold transports an amount of cooled working fluid to each ofthe plurality of heat exchangers.
 30. The method of claim 29, furthercomprising, in response to one of the outlet temperatures being at orbelow the threshold, adjusting the amount of cooled working fluidflowing to a heat exchanger corresponding to the one of the outlettemperatures.